Tennis player Elina Svitolina reveals she received threats during Kremlin Cup

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has revealed that she received numerous threats while competing at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, Russia this week.

The World No. 15 said that although she was impressed by the tournament organizers, she would never return to play the WTA Premier event here.

“Psychologically, it was a very difficult tournament for me,” she said. “The organization of the tournament is very good but I don’t want to come back next year. I [have] never felt so depressed.”

The motive behind the threatening messages is understandable, given that Svitolina played local favourite and top seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last-four stage.

“I received very bad messages – even before the meeting [with Kuznetsova] – to threaten me if I win,” she continued.

“No one can remain indifferent to all these messages. We all get bad messages, but this was different. It was from the outset. They said that even knew where the hotel is that I was. I am a tennis player who just wants to win matches.”

Meanwhile, Kuznetsova prevailed 6-1 6-7 6-4 over Svitolina before going on to clinch the title.